NNC Stories

Over the years, the behavior of the students at my high school, Hiram Johnson, has changed dramatically, and for the better. Not too long ago, my school was thought of as one of the worst, behaviorally, in the Sacramento Unified School District. Brutal fighting and even riots were the norm for the students that attended Hiram Johnson.

Too many cruel acts were reported on the local T.V. news and newspapers. But when I first started attending this school as a freshman, I found out that it wasn’t as bad as most people chalked it up to be, granted there were still fights but they were not as brutal as those I had read about. It made me realize that many people still judged my school based on past events, something I felt wasn’t fair to the present students.

As my time at Hiram Johnson has continued, I have started to see that stigma lift through new programs that promote safe school environments and administrative involvement. One of our main resources on campus that helps keep the peace is the student support center called Peer Mediators.

This program serves as the middleman between being in trouble and staying out of it. It allows students to mediate conflicts between their peers and help them come to an agreement that doesn’t involve violence. I believe this system works because it allows students to not feel intimidated. Because it is not a grown up playing the authority roll, but rather a peer that can relate to them trying to help solve the issue, the program is more effective at solving problems before they result in violence.

“The students at my school’s behavior has changed a lot,” says Matthew Saeteun, a Hiram Johnson High School senior. “Different generations of students coming into school are acting different. It’s very diverse.

From my personal experience being apart of the Peer Mediator program. I have seen the outcome of its tactics, and for the most part I would say it has been successful. I feel that if programs like this were implemented in other schools it could reduce the behavior issues, allowing school staffers to focus more on education. When many people talk about my school now, their first thoughts are no longer those of negative ones, but ones that see improvement and positive behavior.

Hiram W. Johnson is on the move upward, and with the right programs designed to prevent violence, it will not be falling backwards.

The minimum wage is not enough to live on; a known fact for those who have lived with sub-par wages. Yet, during this recession, a number highly qualified people have found themselves having to take jobs which simply do not pay enough to meet their needs. This can have the effect of leaving many people feeling broken-hearted, hopeless, and worthless. The job they once held has been eliminated, and, at the expense of their former position, employers are often announcing growing profits.

Yet, somewhere, in the dark recesses of society, there is hope. It is in the living wage, a wage which would provide the necessities and comforts of an acceptable standard of living. Whereas the minimum wage requires only that you be paid a mandated minimum, it is inadequate in most environments. By comparison, the living wage allows a person to have a modest life, albeit not an extravagant one, while lessening the load on government-funded programs providing assistance to the needy.

This reduction in assistance programs could allow the diversion of funding into other programs which might benefit the public in a much larger way. To allow a more adjusted view: the minimum wage is currently at $8.00 per hour, regardless of any dependents or other family members. The living wage for Sacramento as estimated by a living wage calculator put out by MIT is $18.81, more than twice that of the minimum wage.

Within the current economy it would be possible, and not unheard of, for both parents to be working at, or barely above, $8.00 per hour, assuming they both have jobs at all. All the while inflation continues to rise; in the last 31 years since 1980 inflation has increased by 260%, while the median household increased income has risen slightly over 1%. The lack of a dramatic increase in the income of median households with the stagnation of median wages has led to a significant loss of power for the average household. Simply put: more money came in, yes but at the same time it lost a lot of spending power.

A widespread implementation of a living wage would significantly ease the suffering of low income workers and their families by raising their wages enough to be able provide a means to an end without the incursion of significant debt. Realistically, it would only affect the impoverished workers who are underpaid, allowing them to become a more productive consumer due to their increased wages.

Without a living wage these workers feel trapped, for if they look for better work or try to obtain new skills it takes from their time that they would be working. That is a price they cannot afford, a loss in wages could mean a loss of food, or shelter. The number of people in these situations is too high to ignore and the situation takes more than a simple overview.

Health Happens Here has a new interactive exhibit at the California Museum. This exhibit teaches you how to stay health while having fun at the same time. When I walked into the exhibit the first immediate thing I noticed was the fun in the air. I realized why shortly after I found out about the 10 stations they had available. Each station had a uniqueness to it and each with a lesson.

The stations were all top of the line, some with the latest touch screen technology. The amazing thing about the stations is you get to earn points. You can turn the points you earned into money for 10 different charities of your choosing. There was even a station that calculated your life expectancy base on where you lived and offered solutions on how to stay health.

A benefit concert is a performance with the objective to raise money for a charitable cause. Ross Hammond, a stalwart of the local music community, has annually hosted a benefit concert for The Sacramento Food Bank. The Sacramento Food Bank is a local non-profit agency that is committed to serving those in need by providing free emergency goods and services to men, women and children each month. The concert will be held Decemebr 7th 2012 7:00pm at the Antiquite Maison Privee, 2114 P Street.

Each year, the benefit has grown in audience appeal. “Last year, the food and clothing contributions overflowed two barrels at Old Soul Coffee, which was packed with people to give to the community and hear music,” says Bill Torngren, lead guitarist and songwriter for the Lava Pups.

The concert’s line up is jam packed with performances from some Sacramento icons and Sammie nominees such as: Kevin Seconds, Electropoetic Coffee, Gene Smith Kathy Barwick, Amy Reed with Ross Hammond, Jackson Griffith, Crossing the River and The Lava Pups. In order to make this benefit successful, admission comes in three forms; a donation of $10, canned food, or clothing. “Can you imagine how these storms affect those who look to the Sacramento Food Bank for support?” asks Torngren.

“You can help make a difference. And hear some really cool music” says Torngren. For more info about this Benefit check the links bellow.

Sacramento City College is a close-knit campus that offers not only an affordable education but also several community resources to help students succeed. One of the resources offered is the Co-op WorkExperience Education and Internship Program which offers part-time jobs and career guidance. They are equipped with staff available on campus to counsel individual students on available internships and work experience. Students may sign up for volunteer and paid work study related to their majors. The goal of the program is to provide work and training for students who are interested in a hands-on at a job in their potential career path.

This can be beneficial in many ways to a college student. This internship allows them to be on campus more and will open more doors. During the internship, you can network and open up more opportunities for you which will lead into your career. You can also earn college credit while in the program. It will also look really good in your resume when applying for the career you want.

To qualify for an internship, a student must be in their second year or higher, maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher, declare a major or majors and career goals, have completed at least two or more classes relating to the declared major, enroll in a work experience class, and have a motivated attitude to achieve their career goals. To apply, register on the Los Rios Internships & Career Services – LINCS to HIRE Education System which can be found in this link. After registering for the interested program, contact LINCS to HIRE staff at 916-558-2383 or 916-558-2069.

The Co-op Work Experience Education and Internship Program is a beneficial option for students in Sacramento City College. The program will enhance students’ learning experience and career skills through training that are necessary for their potential career job.

For me as a Hmong American born child, life in this country was tough growing up. I had little interaction with the Hmong community and culture, so because of this, I lost the ability to speak the language fluently. I was surrounded by Caucasian and Hispanic people, so on a full-time basis, I spoke only English. I learned in English, I wrote in English, and I read in English. It was inevitable that one day I’d lose my ties to my Hmong heritage. It became a struggle to find my identity within these two different cultures.

I would ask myself, “Why couldn’t I be a white kid? Why did I have to be born Hmong?” I just wanted to fit in with the rest of the kids. I was tired of being made fun of.

“Hey Steve,” my friend would ask me. “Did you know your people killed many Americans back then?” I would go ahead and laugh with his joke, while deep inside, it truly hurt me. I would smile and reply, “I’m not Vietnamese, I’m American.” I tried my best back then to act as white as I could, so that the other kids would accept me. All I wanted was to be treated like a human being, and to stop being stereotyped as a “Gook.”

Kids are cruel, but they didn’t know any better. Now that I’m 20 years old and finally reconnecting with a culture that I pushed aside all those years ago, I’ve come to understand many things.

James Emery, an anthropologist and journalist who has studied the Hmong people, says that “With the erosion of traditional certainties and wisdom comes a more serious crisis of identity.” Dr. Yang Dao, the first Hmong person in the world to ever receive a doctoral degree, says that “Hmong culture is the soul of the Hmong people,” says Yang Dao. “If the young people lose their culture, the Hmong soul will die.”

Everything was so black-and-white when I was younger, I was either Hmong or American, and there was no gray area. I will always be an American. I was taught American values and beliefs, and I went to American schools, but no matter what happens I will always be Hmong. My goal in the future is to help Hmong Americans, learn the importance of understanding and embracing their cultural heritage.

If the young people of our generation lose their culture and don’t know who they are, they will never learn to respect themselves or other people. To learn and teach the Hmong community about the importance of preserving our cultural traditions and history is my goal, but it’s also important that we learn to embrace the Western culture as a community as well, because despite what anyone says, this country is our home. May we all find the joy and happiness of growing up in the best of both worlds.

On Saturday December 1st the California Museum’s free day had a huge turn out. The free day kicked off at 10:30am and wrapped up around 3:00pm. The main lobby of the museum was flooded with parents and children. Just through a pair of huge wooden double doors on the main floor was the “Health Happens Here” exhibit installed by the California Endowment.

Upon entering the exhibit, one is quickly greeted by an informative screen that could estimate your average lifespan based on your zip code.

“I guess I never thought about the area you live in playing a factor in how long you live,” says Kate Lee, a mother of three who attended the free museum day. Just behind the interactive wall was another activity.

This activity focused on school lunches, and was set up in a game format with the objective being to customize your lunch tray with a combination of fruits, protein, dairy, grains and vegetables without exceeding your calorie limit based on your gender and age.

“The interactive lunch tray activity really hit home for me because healthy eating is something I have been strongly advocating to my children,” says Timothy Mercado, a father of two children.

Another game based activity was “Heads Up” with the objective to grab as many Healthy Options such as, a bag of vegetables, running and graduating, all while watching out for and avoiding unhealthy options like soda, chemical pollution, and weapons, which would subtract from your score. For more information about this exhibit or “Health Happens Here” check the links bellow.

Luther Burbank High School has had a bad reputation for years. It has a history of drugs, violence, and being the school choice for the difficult kids. However, in recent years, Burbank has developed into a very culturally rich and resource heavy place to learn, with staff members who encourage and help students to succeed.

the “college corner” of the career center

Like many other high schools, Burbank has clubs and sports teams, but what sets it apart is their College and Career Center and its counselors. The College and Career Center is open before school, after school, and during lunch.

The center is filled with information about colleges around the country, scholarships, internships, and job opportunities. On-the-job training is provided for students who work the center so they can gain job skills. Students have access to computers to search for and complete college or job applications and write admissions essays.

“It’s a one-stop center right here at the school,” says Emily Catlett,a counselor at Burbank.

Counselors are available to help the students whenever the Career Center is open, as well as during school hours. The student-to-counselor ratio at Burbank is about 250:1, and is based upon the Small Learning Communities model. Catlett is the counselor for the Law and Social Justice SLC.

“I really like the students, parents, and the administration,” says Catlett. “The students who use the Career Center ask questions and show a lot of interest in their futures.”

Students I met with say they are doing just that. “I learn a lot from Ms. Ross. says Benito Aguilera, a senior in the Law and Social Justice SLC. “She’s very helpful and provides a lot more opportunities than I would on my own.”

One wall of the college and career center with various college flags

Another wall in the career center with various scholarships and more college flags

two drawers full of college information, both out of state and in-state

the “college corner” of the career center

Ms. Catlet, counselor and Ms. Ross, head of the College and career centerhe

Have those of you still in high school noticed that school lunches are always the same thing and there are not a lot of options to pick from? At my school there isn’t a lot of varieties and it’s always the same choices to pick from. For instance there is always pizza, salad, hamburgers, and nachos.

“They are horrible and the only good thing is the sandwiches which always runs out ” says Dede McCall, a Sacramento High School student.

There is not much to pick from and the rules in our school don’t allow us to bring our own lunches because it can cause sickness to those who share foods with others. This is not fair to those students who don’t like the school’s choices and would rather choose to bring their own food to eat at school.

There have also been cases of students getting sick from the food served at the cafeteria. This is part of why many students would rather bring their own food from home. Students on our campus have stepped in to try to make a difference. The school started an after school program on Wednesdays for students to come out and help take care of the school garden. It was created so that students at the school could eat fruits and vegetables grown their own on-site garden.

Last year we had “Meatless Monday’s”, where the cafeteria served lunches such as vegetarian pizzas and salads in order to bring healthier choices to the school.

With the support of faculty and the students, we can make a big change towards variety or different dishes to create more interest in students to eat school served lunches. I hope schools and faculty members can become more aware of the opinions their students have in the school and try to push for healthier and better lunches that are served.

People say that music is emotion and feeling in a physical state. I experienced this and realized that it was true the first time I got my very own guitar and played my first chord. I’d made something that I could hear, and I just wanted to learn more. I could never put down my guitar, and found myself learning more and more songs. Once I wrote my first original content it opened so many doors, and I found myself not able to put down my notebook either. I put together different patterns with different picking styles, and started to see what my guitar and my hands could do.

About two years later, I was able to get both a classical and an electric guitar. Each one of them has a life of their own and a story to tell. The electric is full of soul and has a wide range, while the classical is soft and gentle, and the acoustic is passionate and romantic. However, none of it can come out unless you feel it inside. It is the best escape ever in the sense that it can take you far away while still being in the same room. It gave me a feeling like nothing else matters but that moment, that song, and that strum of the guitar.

After a few years of playing and working at an all-age music venue called ‘The Refuge’, I had the chance to perform in front of a crowd and have people hear my music and enjoy it. A few times I played by myself as an instrumental solo band with a guitar, ukulele, harmonica and others. Being in front of a crowd is so exhilarating and is a feeling that I instantly fell in love with. At first I was terrified but after the first song I loosened up. After every song the audience would cheer and clap, and I found myself never wanting it to end.

After one of the shows I was introduced to a young girl and was told she was a great singer. After a bit of talking and a few practices together, we formed a small band called ‘Black and White’. From then on, we have spent time practicing, performing, and doing what we both love; making music.

So, at the end of the day, I find myself gazing at my instruments and feeling good knowing that I have found a life-long love. A love that I know will remain with me for the rest of my life. Music has helped me escape stress, cure boredom, find friends, and introduced me into a whole new world of emotion and creativity.